As winter approaches, temperatures gradually drop, many pet owners are beginning to care whether their dogs need to wear clothes to protect against the cold. Dogs are like cats. Although they have hair on them, not all dogs can resist the low temper...
As winter approaches, temperatures gradually drop, many pet owners are beginning to care whether their dogs need to wear clothes to protect against the cold.
Dogs are like cats. Although they have hair on them, not all dogs can resist the low temperatures well. After cats need extra protection from the cold, we can’t help but ask: Do dogs also need to wear clothes in winter to keep warm?
Then dogs' cold tolerance and under what circumstances should they provide additional warmth.
First, we need to understand the minimum temperature that dogs can withstand. A chart produced by veterinary scientists at Tufts University in the United States shows different temperatures that dogs of different sizes can withstand. This chart uses the temperature range of 15 degrees to -15 degrees. Green means that the dog feels moderate temperature, and red means that the dog feels particularly cold.
In addition, if the environment is humid, the temperature that the dog can withstand needs to rise by 2 latches; if the dog adapts to that temperature or wears a coat, the tolerable temperature can drop by 1 latches.
According to the chart, most dogs can stay comfortable at an external temperature of around 7 degrees. However, in environments below 7 degrees, some small and medium-sized dogs may feel very dangerous. -4 degrees is the ultimate temperature that most dogs can withstand.
Dogs have relatively strong cold tolerance, but this also depends on factors such as breed, body shape and age. Most dogs can stay comfortable within a certain temperature range, but some small and elderly dogs may be more sensitive to the cold.
Although most dogs have high cold tolerance, there are exceptions.
Small dogs with thin fur, such as bulldogs, pugs, Yorkshires and Chihuahuas, usually require additional warmth at 0℃-3℃.
At the same time, small and elderly dogs also need appropriate warming measures due to their weak body temperature regulation ability.
In addition, mothers who have just given birth to puppies also need to pay attention to keeping warm due to their physical strength and various functions.
If you decide to buy clothes for your dog to keep warm, make sure to choose clothes that are comfortable without being tight.
The two-legged garments should be based on the bust, while the four-legged garments should be mainly based on the length of the back.
When purchasing, you can not be small, because too tight clothes may limit the dog's movement and even cause harm to them.
How to choose the right clothes for your dog
Comfort: It is very important to choose comfortable clothes to make sure that the clothes don't tighten on your dog. Especially for older dogs and dogs with skin problems, it is more important to choose soft and breathable fabrics.
Size: Choose the appropriate size of clothes according to the dog's body shape to ensure that the clothes can cover the dog's body. Clothes that are too large or too small can affect the dog's movement and comfort.
Material: Choose fabrics with good breathability and strong hygroscopicity, which can help the dog stay dry and comfortable. At the same time, avoid choosing materials containing harmful substances to avoid affecting the health of the dog.
Safety: Make sure the clothes are free of sharp edges or decorations to avoid scratching or irritating your dog's skin. Also, avoid choosing clothes that are too tightly tied or restricted to dogs’ movements to avoid affecting their normal activities.
Although most dogs have certain cold resistance, dogs in certain special circumstances may require additional warmth.
Picking the right clothes for dogs not only helps them through the cold winter, but also avoids health problems caused by low temperatures.
As responsible pet owners, we should pay close attention to the needs of our dogs during the winter season and take appropriate measures to ensure their comfort and safety.
